FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. It was a historic result for the Methodist women’s soccer team on Sunday as a 2–1 victory over Salem College marked Bryan Madej‘s 145th win as head coach of the Monarchs, making him the all–time winningest coach in the history of the Methodist women’s soccer program.
Madej surpasses Joe Pereira, who was the first coach in program history and led the team for 11 seasons (1984–1994).
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Salem, 2–1
Records: Methodist 3–4 (2–0 USA South), Salem 4–4 (0–2 USA South)
Location: Duggins Soccer Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.
Originally scheduled for Saturday in Winston–Salem, this match between Methodist and Salem was moved to Fayetteville and played on Sunday because of unplayable field conditions at Salem due to Hurricane Helene. In turn, head coaches of both teams agreed that Methodist will travel to Winston–Salem when these two teams meet in 2025.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Monarchs dominated possession in the first half, holding the ball roughly 60% of the time. Methodist attempted 14 shots (compared to just two by Salem), but neither team converted a goal before halftime.
- Just inside the 53rd minute, a shot by Salem’s Darilyn Nieto was saved by Carolina Simpkins. Methodist quickly advanced the ball up the field where Corrine Shovlain got the ball to Kelsey Burge, who delivered a successful strike for her first goal of the season.
- The Monarchs struck again in the 78th minute, when Quierra Hawkins collected a blocked shot and toed the ball into the open net. The Salem goalkeeper had committed to defending the initial shot by Mackenzie Meekins, but a Salem defender deflected the ball, giving Hawkins a perfect opportunity that she took advantage of.
- A penalty kick was awarded to Alexis Lemons in the 86th minute, and her shot was saved by Salem keeper Marissa Doutrich. Doutrich got a hand on the ball as she leaped high to defend the shot, then she managed to collect the ball on the ground after watching it bounce off the underside of the crossbar.
- The impressive save kept Salem alive, and the Spirits were able to get the ball ahead to Nieto, who slipped around the Monarch defenders and scored with less than two minutes to go. Nieto’s goal marked her 17th on the season and was the 47th score of her collegiate career, setting a record for the Salem women’s soccer program.
NUMBERS
- In total, Methodist outshot Salem 30–9 with 14 shots on goal compared to seven by the Spirits.
- While Carolina Simpkins gets credited as the winning goalie, Kaylea Carter also contributed during the victory, playing the first 45 minutes in net for the Monarchs and making two saves.
- Methodist now holds five straight wins in the all–time series against Salem, having last lost to the Spirits in 2019.
- The Monarchs have now scored six times this season with six unique goal scorers.
UP NEXT
Methodist is scheduled to travel to Brevard College for its next match — a 1 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 5.